Shoe Pattern Making With Buckles

Shoemaking is a meticulous craft where every detail, from the choice of material to the type of fastening, plays a crucial role in the final product's comfort, functionality, and aesthetics. The fastening of a shoe is not merely a practical element but also influences the shoe's style, wearability, and user experience.

4 Types of Shoe Fastening

1.Laces: This timeless fastening method has been used for centuries. Not only do laces provide a customizable fit by adjusting the tightness, but they also allow for personal expression. Footwear ranging from athletic sneakers to high-end dress shoes, like Derby shoes or Oxford shoes utilizes laces for their versatility. Shoes with laces primarily come in two distinct constructions, and based on these patterns, you can determine the type of fastening you wish to create: Derby or Oxford.

2.Zips: Zippers offer a contemporary look and the convenience of easy on-off wear. Especially prevalent in boots, zippers can be either an overt design element, providing a bold statement, or a more discreet component hidden within the shoe design. The ease of use makes them popular among many age groups.

For instance, consider one of my shoe designs where I incorporated zips both as a functional feature and a design element. If you're interested in exploring all my creations, feel free to visit my webpage: www.svetakletina.com

Buckles: Buckles provide a combination of elegance and practicality. While they are commonly associated with formal shoes, like monk straps, they also find their place in casual wear such as sandals. The intricate designs and materials of buckles can significantly elevate the shoe's aesthetic appeal.

Velcro tape: Especially important for those prioritizing ease and speed, Velcro is a modern fastening solution. Its primary advantage is the ease of fastening, which is particularly helpful for young children or those with mobility issues. Often found in athletic shoes, comfort footwear, and children's shoes, Velcro ensures a snug fit without the hassle of other fastening methods.

In conclusion, while the primary function of a shoe's fastening might be to secure the foot, it also has a profound impact on the shoe's design and user experience. As such, understanding the nuances of each fastening method is very important  for both shoe designers and enthusiasts alike.

Shoe template with buckles

In this shoemaking article I want to talk with you about third type- straps with buckles. 

Why?

Because in the making of your own shoes you can use it in any footwear type as a functional element and as a decorative as well.

For example, you can make boots with decorative straps with buckles, or you can make sandals with functional straps with buckles, or you can make T strap pumps with buckles and so on.

So this element is one of the most useful elements in shoemkaing.

That’s why I decided to show pattern making of  straps with buckles 

“Pattern making is a key to succeed in shoemaking”- one of my favorite statements that I love to tell beginners in shoemaking!

Why Pattern making is so important?!

Because only correctly executed pattern making step of straps with buckles will guarantee you good quality and good look of the leather straps with buckles .

What is important in this pattern making process is to make straps with correct width that will allow you to apply the buckles to the straps easily and how to make it look good, like a pro.

Your most common pattern making mistake

What usually happens with you as a beginner in shoemaking is, that you make them too wide, or too narrow.

If it is too wide you can’t apply the buckles to the straps, it is very difficult to do. If it’s too narrow, the edges of the middle pin of the buckle visible and the strap looks  bad (very poor).

In both cases it looks very unprofessional.

That’s why I decided to teach you pattern making technique for the shoe straps with buckles.

Please follow my pattern making tutorial that is at the beginning of the article.

If you pay attention and watch this tutorial till the end you will know what to ask me to do in my next tutorial.

So, if you are serious about your shoemaking learning, just comment: Yes, please tell how!

“How to do WHAT?”- watch the video till the end, you’ll see!

UPDATE!

You asked for it, so here is the part 2 of this tutorial >

So many of you wanted to know how to make a hole for the buckle to place the straps. That’s why I continue with the buckles in shoemaking and below you will find my new shoe making tutorial about this issue. 

There is a special shoemaking tool (a puncher) to make this hole professionally but as usual I have my own way to do it without any special shoemaking tools. This is how I teach shoemaking in my shoemaking programs.

So what you need to have is a puncher like I use in the shoe making tutorial about leather insoles with toe loop, simple utility knife and ruler.  You need also to make a few calculations. That’s it 🙂

In this shoe making tutorial I added also extra information on how to make pattern for the straps without folding, with raw edges. Therefore it worth to watch this shoe making tutorial till the end.

If you want to learn more about different pattern making techniques, techniques to solve most of your shoe making problems, tools for pattern making, you are invited to visit this derectlry: "Shoe pattern and templates" .

Don’t forget to ask questions and  comment below because the best way to learn shoemaking is to ask questions when something is not clear.

Cheers.

Sveta